Jarod Mayo, Laurence Maroney and Kevin O’connell are 3 of the top 20 under 25 athletes in 2009. Who is going to make the most impact on the patriots this coming season?? How do they compare to the other athletes on the list?

I think Mayo will emerge as a top LB this season. I'm not so sure about Maroney, he has yet to prove he can remain healthy and consistent. Hopefully we will not get to see O'Connell play at all this year!!!

No we are just bigger fans of Tom Brady. The only way O Connel see game action is if Brady gets hurt so that is the reast we dont want to see him playing at all. Maroney could have a break out season and give us all hope once again that we made a good pick when we took him. Mayo will show that he is a top flight NFL MLB for years to come.

1) Mayo (huge impact)2) Maroney (1 of 5 cogs in a great running game, which means his contributions won't be that large, but shouldn't be dismissed, either)3) O'Connell (Very important role relaying the playcall into Brady's helmet)

Mayo is a BEAST and is ready to break out, if you don't think he has already. I'm not saying he is there, but he has the potential to be Ray Lewis style force out there. Smart, always around the ball and always on the field.

Maroney needs to be healthy and needs some confindence, he has the tools. I just don't see him putting it together. As part of this group of backs he may be able stay healthy enough to contribute.

O'Connell, wow he is in a tough spot, with so little experience. God forbid if he had to go in, at least he would be sourrounded by talent and team guys.

Of the three, Mayo proved his worth right out of the shute and one would think it can only get better with experience. Maroney, has yet to live up to his billing, too many injuries. True, he did have a great streak of games in the '07 playoffs, but, he's too much like a Jekyll & Hyde, which running back will we see? O'Connell, has yet to play in meaningful situations other than mop-up. He's the Cassell of the three.

I'm just not buying the hype around O'Connell. It's like a flashback to the Michael Bishop days where everyone wanted to see this guy get on the field because he displayed amazing arm strength and looked great in practices and the preseason. Who knows if OC will bust like that or not, but it seems to be a similar story.

Of the three, it's Mayo and it's not even close. That guy is an absolute animal already and I think he's going to lead the NFL in tackles... or be darn close.